Theft prevention device

ABSTRACT

A theft prevention device for a vehicle including a passenger compartment in which a steering wheel is provided to control the movement of the vehicle is disclosed. The theft prevention device includes a first arm having a first end, a second end and a central section. The theft prevention device also includes a second arm having a first end, a second end and a central section, wherein the central section of the first arm is pivotally secured to the central section of the second arm. The theft prevention device is also provided with a lock selectively coupled between the first arm and the second arm to lock the first arm relative to the second arm and securely position the theft prevention device within a vehicle steering wheel by locking the first arm and the second arm in an X-shaped orientation to obstruct the passenger compartment in the vehicle and deter the theft of the vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a vehicle theft prevention device. Moreparticularly, the invention relates to a vehicle theft prevention deviceincluding first and second arms adapted for positioning within thesteering wheel of a vehicle to obstruct the passenger compartment anddeter a would-be thief.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Car theft has become a major problem throughout the United States, andmany products have been developed to prevent and deter would-be thievesfrom stealing automobiles and the goods stored therein.

The vast majority of products are releasably secured to the controlfunctions of the automobile when the owner leaves the automobile, andare intended to prevent a thief from using the car in a conventionalmanner. For example, bars may be secured to the steering wheel in amanner preventing a thief from properly steering. Similarly, a rod maybe positioned between the steering wheel and the brake pedal, oracceleration pedal, to prevent a thief from properly stopping, steering,or accelerating the vehicle. Devices are also known that may be securedto the gear shift to prevent a thief from shifting the automobile out of"Park".

While prior devices are generally effective in preventing a thief fromoperating the automobile once he or she has entered the vehicle, theyoften fail to provide the deterrent necessary to discourage the thieffrom damaging the automobile when he or she attempts to enter theautomobile. For example, these devices do not limit the thieves' accessto the seating area and a thief is, therefore, provided with a workspace in which he or she may steal objects stored within the passengercompartment. As a result, a thief is provided with full access to sit inthe seat of the passenger compartment where he or she may steal airbags, stereo equipment, or goods stored in the glove box, despite thefact that the automobile cannot be stolen. The term "passengercompartment" is used throughout the remainder of this disclosure andshould be understood to refer to the space between the front instrumentpanel and dashboard, and the front seat of the vehicle. As such, the"passenger compartment" includes, but is not limited to, the seatingarea, the driver seat, leg space, and the steering column.

More sophisticated theft prevention devices are also known in the priorart. These devices are commonly based upon complex electronic controlsystems. Devices of this type generally prevent unauthorized use of theautomobile by disabling the car during ignition or after the thief hasdriven the automobile for a short time. In addition, these devices mayalso send a warning signal so the automobile owner can locate the stolenvehicle. As with the theft prevention devices discussed above, theseelectronic devices fail to provide the deterrent necessary to prevent athief from attempting to steal the automobile. They also leave thepassenger compartment open, providing the thief with full access to thepassenger compartment. Electronic theft prevention devices are alsoexpensive and are often difficult to incorporate into previouslyexisting automobiles. As with prior mechanical theft prevention devices,electronic theft prevention devices do not limit a would-be thief'saccess to the passenger compartment of the automobile. The thief is,therefore, provided with a work area in which he or she is provided fullaccess to the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

As a review of the prior art reveals, a need continues to exist for acost effective theft prevention device which prevents theft of theautomobile, substantially limits access to the passenger compartment ofthe automobile, and provides a visible deterrent to theft. The presentinvention provides such a device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a theftprevention device for a vehicle including a passenger compartment inwhich a steering wheel is provided to control the movement of thevehicle. The theft prevention device includes a first arm having a firstend, a second end and a central section. The theft prevention devicealso includes a second arm having a first end, a second end and acentral section, wherein the central section of the first arm ispivotally secured to the central section of the second arm. The theftprevention device is also provided with a lock selectively coupledbetween the first arm and the second arm to lock the first arm relativeto the second arm and securely position the theft prevention devicewithin a vehicle steering wheel by locking the first arm and the secondarm in an X-shaped orientation to obstruct the passenger compartment inthe vehicle and deter the theft of the vehicle.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a theftprevention device wherein the lock is a spring lock secured to the firstarm.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a theftprevention device wherein the lock is a padlock.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a theftprevention device wherein the padlock includes a chain for attachment toa steering column or spokes of the steering wheel.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a theftprevention device wherein the first end of the first arm is pointed andthe first end of the second arm is pointed to further obstruct theseating area of the vehicle.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a theftprevention device wherein the first arm is bent between the centralsection and the first end and the second arm is similarly bent betweenthe central section and the first end to further obstruct the passengercompartment of the vehicle.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a theftprevention device wherein the central section of the first arm includesa first flange and the central section of the second arm includes asecond flange, and the lock is coupled to the first flange and thesecond flange to lock the first arm and the second arm in a desiredorientation.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a theftprevention device wherein the lock is a spring lock secured to the firstflange.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a theftprevention device wherein the lock is a padlock that passes throughholes in the first flange and the second flange to lock the first armand second arm in a desired orientation.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a theftprevention device including means to control the orientation of thefirst and second arms while a user locks the first arm and the secondarm in a desired orientation.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a theftprevention device wherein the means to control includes a spring clipsecured to the first flange which engages grooves on the second flange.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a theftprevention device wherein the means to control includes a detent securedto the first flange which engages detent holes formed in the secondflange.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description when viewed inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, which set forth certainembodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the presentinvention in use.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the presentinvention in use.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a detailed bottom perspective view of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a detailed top perspective view of the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a detailed top perspective view of the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a detailed bottom perspective view of the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a detailed top perspective view of a third embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the third embodiment in its closedconfiguration.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the third embodiment in its openconfiguration.

FIG. 13 is a detailed side perspective view of the third embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein.It should be understood, however, that the disclosed embodiments aremerely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in variousforms. Therefore, the details disclosed herein are not to be interpretedas limited, but merely as the basis for the claims and as a basis forteaching one skilled in the art how to make and/or use the invention.

With reference to FIGS. 1-4, two embodiments of the theft preventiondevice are disclosed. The theft prevention device is designed for usewith any motor vehicle including a passenger compartment 12 having asteering wheel 14 and a driver's seating area 16 positioned in front ofthe steering wheel 14. While the theft prevention device is disclosedbelow with reference to a specific steering wheel structure, the theftprevention device may be employed with a wide variety of steering wheelswithout departing from the spirit of the present invention. In addition,the theft prevention device may be employed in environments other thanmotor vehicles without departing from the spirit of the presentinvention.

With reference to the first embodiment disclosed in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5-7,the theft prevention device 10 includes an obstruction member 18. Theobstruction member 18 includes a first arm 20 having a first end 22, asecond end 24 and a central section 26. The obstruction member 18 alsoincludes a second arm 28 having a first end 30, a second end 32 and acentral section 34. A pivot pin 36 is pivotally secured to the centralsection 26 of the first arm 20 and the central section 34 of the secondarm 28. As such, the first arm 20 and the second arm 28 may be pivotallymoved relative to each, creating an X-shaped theft prevention device 10.

The first arm 20 includes a first semi-circular flange 38 extending fromits central section 26 and the second arm 28 includes a secondsemi-circular flange 40 extending from its central section 26. In fact,the first semi-circular flange 38 of the first arm 20 lies directly overthe second semi-circular flange 40 of the second arm 28, and the firstand second semi-circular flanges 38, 40 rotate about the same axis.

As stated above, the first arm 20 and the second arm 28 may be rotatedrelative to each other to assume a variety of orientations. The firstarm 20 and the second arm 28 may then be selectively locked at a desiredorientation. Specifically, a lock 42 is mounted on the first flange 38of the first arm 20. The lock 42 is a conventional spring lock, whichexposes a locking member when the locking housing 44 is presseddownwardly. Once the locking member is exposed, a key may be used tosecurely lock the locking member in its exposed position.

The lock 42 is radially positioned to align with a plurality of holes 46created in the second flange 40 of the second arm 28. As such, the firstarm 20 and the second arm 28 are selectively locked by rotating the armsuntil the lock 42 on the first flange 38 aligns at a desired locationwith a hole 46 in the second flange 40. At this point, the lock 42 isactuated such that a locking member moves within the hole 46 of thesecond flange 40 to lock the first arm 20 and the second arm 28 in thedesired orientation. As will be appreciated with the subsequentdiscussion, the second flange 40 is provided with a series of holes 46,permitting the first arm 20 and the second arm 28 to be locked in a widevariety of orientations. For example, the second flange includes holesfor locking the first arm 20 at approximately 0°, 45°, 66°, and 90°.When the first arm 20 and the second arm 28 are locked at 0°, the armsare aligned and ready for storage.

Since it is likely that the theft prevention device will only be usedwith one vehicle at a time, the first and second arms will generally berotated to one orientation each time the theft prevention device isplaced into use. As such, screws 48 may be placed within the unusedholes to facilitate the quick rotation of the first arm 20 and thesecond arm 28 to their desired locations. The screws 48 are preferablyplaced within each of the unused holes such that they extend only as faras the first flange 38, and do not hinder the movement of the first arm20 and the second arm 28 relative to each other.

Movement of the first arm 20 relative to the second arm 28 may also becontrolled by the provision of a detent 50 on the first arm 20 and aseries of detent holes 52 in the second arm 28. The detent 50 and detentholes 52 are arranged to snap into engagement at the various locationswere the lock 42 of the first arm 20 and the holes 46 of second arm 28align.

The effectiveness of the present theft prevention device is enhanced bysimilarly bending the first arm 20 and the second arm 28 at positionsbetween their central sections 26, 34 and their first ends 22, 30. Thearms are preferably bent "y" to approximately a 135° angle, althoughother angles could be used without departing from the spirit of thepresent invention. The bend moves the first ends 22, 30 of the first arm20 and the second arm 28 further into the seating area 16 of thepassenger compartment 12 to further obstruct the seating area in thevehicle and deter the theft of the vehicle.

In addition to similarly bending the first and second arms, the firstend 22 of the first arm 20 and the first end 30 of the second arm 30 aresharpened to points. The points are intended to further obstruct theseating area in the vehicle and deter the theft of the vehicle.

Movement of the first and second arms past a closed position isprevented by the provision of a clip 53 on the second arm 28. The clip53 prevents the first arm 20 from rotating any further than an alignedorientation with the second arm 28.

A second embodiment of the present invention is disclosed in FIGS. 3, 4,8 and 9. As with the first embodiment, the theft prevention device 110includes a first arm 120 and a second arm 128 which are pivotal coupledby a pivot pin 136. However, the second embodiment replaces the lockmounted on the first flange of the first arm with a padlock 154 coupledto the steering wheel 14 by a chain 162.

Specifically, the first flange 138 is provided with a hole 156 where thelock was previously mounted. As such, the padlock 154 is placed withinthe hole 156 of the first flange 138 and a selected hole 146 of thesecond flange 140 to lock the first arm 120 and the second arm 128 in adesired orientation.

Orientation of the first flange 138 of the first arm 120 relative to thesecond flange 140 of the second arm 128 is enhanced by the provision ofa locking clip 158 on the first flange 138 and a series of grooves 160on the second flange 140. The locking clip 158 and grooves 160 arespaced such that the locking clip 158 engages the grooves 160 when thehole 156 in the first flange 138 aligns with specific holes 146 in thesecond flange 140. In this way, an individual using the present theftprevention device 110 may quickly align the desired holes, withoutconstantly working to hold the first arm 120 and the second arm 128relative to each other while he or she secures the padlock 154 withinthe holes of the first flange 138 and the second flange 140.

The effectiveness of the theft prevention device 110 is further enhancedwhen the theft prevention device 110 is properly placed within asteering wheel 14 and the chain 162 mounted padlock 154 is secured tothe first and second arms 120, 128. The chain 162 prevents movement ofthe obstruction member 118 beyond the limits of the chain slack. Inaddition to placing the chain 162 about the steering column 15 of thevehicle, the chain 162 may be secured to the spokes 17 of the steeringwheel 14.

A third embodiment of the present invention is disclosed in FIGS. 10-13.The third embodiment is substantially similar to the first and secondembodiments, but includes a different locking structure. Specifically,the first and second arms 220, 228 are coupled by a pivot pin 236secured between the first flange 238 of the first arm 220 and the secondflange 240 of the second arm 228. The second flange 240 is slightlybigger than the first flange 238, and a small portion of the secondflange 240 extends beyond the first flange 238.

As with the first embodiment, the first flange 238 of the first arm 220is provided with a detent 250 and the second flange 240 of the secondarm 228 is provided with a series of detent holes 252a, 252b spaced toengage the detent 250. At least two detent holes are provided in thesecond flange 240; a first detent hole 252a engaged when the obstructionmember 218 is in its stored position and a second detent hole 252bengaged when the obstruction member 218 is in its open position.

Similarly, the first flange 238 is provided with a single hole 256 andthe second flange 240 is provided with a series of holes 246a, 246b suchthat a padlock 254 may be passed through the hole 256 in the firstflange 238 and a hole 246a, 246b in the second flange 240 to lock theobstruction member 218 in a desired orientation. At least two holes areformed in the second flange; a first hole 246a designed for locking theobstruction member 218 in its stored position and a second hole 246bdesigned for locking the obstruction member 218 in its open position.

The chain 262 and padlock 254 are securely attached to the obstructionmember 218 by the provision of an eyebolt 264 secured to the undersideof the second flange 240. The eyebolt 264 is releasably coupled theretowith the aid of an eyebolt housing 266 secured to the underside of thesecond flange 240 and a lock nut 268 threaded onto the shaft of theeyebolt 264.

With reference to FIG. 13, the eyebolt 264 is shown with the lock nut268 turned to secure the eyebolt 264 within the eyebolt housing 266.When the device is in its armed position (see FIG. 12), the eyebolt 264cannot be removed from the eyebolt housing 266, since the chain 262 willeventually bind if one attempts to turn the eyebolt 264 and remove thefirst end 270 of the chain 262. However, when the padlock 254 is notlocked to the first and second flanges 238, 240, the eyebolt 264 may beturned and removed when desired. In this way, the first end 270 of thechain 262 may be releasably secured to the obstruction member 218, whilethe padlock 254 at the second end 272 of the chain 262 engages the holesformed in the first and second flanges 238, 240.

As a result of the release feature, a user is provided with the optionof using the device without the lock, using the device with a shortchain connected such that the chain will reach around one of the spokesof the steering wheel to prevent removal of the device by cutting thesteering wheel rim, and providing a longer chain that will wrap aroundthe steering wheel column.

When the obstruction member is properly positioned within a steeringwheel 14, the chain 262 may be wrapped about a steering wheel spoke 17or around the steering wheel column 15. When the obstruction 218 memberis stored, the chain 262 may be wrapped around the obstruction member218 or simply left to hang therefrom. Attachment of the chain 262 inthis manner provides added security as a result of the attachment to thesteering wheel 14 and provides a reliable method for storing the chain262 and padlock 254 when the theft prevention device 210 is not in use.

When using either the first embodiment, the second embodiment or thethird embodiment, the obstruction member is moved within the steeringwheel, between adjacent spokes of the steering wheel, with the first armand the second arm in their closed orientation. Once the first andsecond arms are properly positioned within the steering wheel, the firstarm and the second arm are pivoted to create an X-shaped orientation(see FIGS. 1 and 3). Generally, the approximate 66° position issufficient to prevent the obstruction member from being removed fromwithin the steering wheel. However, the first and second arms may beplaced at any orientation which optimizes the placement of theobstruction member within specific vehicles. Once the first and secondarms are properly positioned, the lock is applied between the firstflange and the second flange.

The obstruction member is placed within the steering wheel such that itmay not be removed therefrom without unlocking the first and second armsrelative to each other. While it is secured within the steering wheel,the obstruction member can be moved in various directions, but it maynot be removed. Specifically, if an attempt is made to move the firstends of the first and second arms in a counterclockwise direction, upand away from the back portion of the front seat, the second ends of thefirst and second arms will abut the front edge of the seat and maintainthe first ends within the seating area (see FIG. 2). In addition, if anattempt is made to push the first ends of the first and second arms in aclockwise direction to allow room for one's legs within the passengercompartment such that a user may move his or her legs under the steeringwheel in a normal driving position, the first ends of the first andsecond arms are forced downward and the seat area is blocked where onewould normally sit while driving the vehicle (see FIG. 4). In summary,obstruction of the passenger compartment is always maintained,preventing a would be thief from accessing the passenger compartment inthe proximity of the steering wheel to steal the vehicle.

Attempts to remove the obstruction device from within the steering wheelare prevented by the extended first ends of the first and second armsand the extended second ends of the first and second arms. Any attemptto withdraw the obstruction member is met by abutment with the spokes orrim of the steering wheel.

If the arms, for example, are bent or crimped, the obstruction membermay move somewhat, but the obstruction member will still obstruct thefront seat area. In addition, bending is made difficult by the fact thatthe arms and other parts of the theft prevention device are not rigidlyattached to anything so as to facilitate bending, or cutting for thatmatter.

The present theft prevention device works under the theory that twoobjects cannot occupy the same space at the same time. No matter how thetheft prevention device is manipulated, the device will obstruct somepart of the driver's seating area. As such, not only is it impossible todrive the vehicle, but the dashboard devices are also protected.

When the second embodiment is employed, the chain is of a lengthsufficient to permit the padlock to engage the obstruction member whileproperly positioning the obstruction member within the steering wheel,or the steering wheel spokes if the chain is wrapped around them. Thechain may be provided with a soft cover to prevent the chain fromrattling or scratching the steering wheel spokes or the steering column.

The present theft prevention device is preferably made from stainlesssteel, or a similar metal, to make the device difficult to cut or bend.However, the device could be made from a variety of strong materialswithout departing from the spirit of the present invention. In addition,the device may be brightly colored so that a would-be thief may readilysee the device within a vehicle.

While the preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it willbe understood that there is no intent to limit the invention by suchdisclosure, but rather, is intended to cover all modifications andalternate constructions falling within the spirit and scope of theinvention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:
 1. A theft prevention device for a vehicle including a passenger compartment in which a steering wheel is provided to control the movement of the vehicle, comprising:a first arm having a first end, a second end and a central section; a second arm having a first end, a second end and a central section, wherein the central section of the first arm is pivotally secured to the central section of the second arm; and a lock selectively coupled between the first arm and the second arm to lock the first arm relative to the second arm and securely position the theft prevention device within a vehicle steering wheel by locking the first arm and the second arm in an X-shaped orientation to obstruct the passenger compartment in the vehicle and deter the theft of the vehicle.
 2. The theft prevention device according to claim 1, wherein the lock is a spring lock secured to the first arm.
 3. The theft prevention device according to claim 1, wherein the lock is a padlock.
 4. The theft prevention device according to claim 3, wherein the padlock includes a chain for attachment to a steering column or spokes of the steering wheel.
 5. The theft prevention device according to claim 4, wherein the chain includes a first end secured to the second arm and a second end to which the padlock is secured.
 6. The theft prevention device according to claim 5, wherein the first end of the chain is releasably secured to the second arm.
 7. The theft prevention device according to claim 6, wherein an eyebolt releasably secures the first end of the chain to the second arm.
 8. The theft prevention device according to claim 1, wherein the first end of the first arm is pointed and the first end of the second arm is pointed to further obstruct the seating area of the vehicle.
 9. The theft prevention device according to claim 1, wherein the first arm is bent between the central section and the first end and the second arm is similarly bent between the central section and the first end to further obstruct the passenger compartment of the vehicle.
 10. The theft prevention device according to claim 1, wherein the central section of the first arm includes a first flange and the central section of the second arm includes a second flange, and the lock is coupled to the first flange and the second flange to lock the first arm and the second arm in a desired orientation.
 11. The theft prevention device according to claim 10, wherein the lock is a spring lock secured to the first flange.
 12. The theft prevention device according to claim 10, wherein the lock is a padlock that passes through holes in the first flange and the second flange to lock the first arm and second arm in a desired orientation.
 13. The theft prevention device according to claim 10, further including means to control the orientation of the first and second arms while a user locks the first arm and the second arm in a desired orientation.
 14. The theft prevention device according to claim 13, wherein the means to control includes a spring clip secured to the first flange which engages grooves on the second flange.
 15. The theft prevention device according to claim 10, wherein the means to control includes a detent secured to the first flange which engages detent holes formed in the second flange.
 16. The theft prevention device according to claim 1, further including means to control the orientation of the first and second arms while a user locks the first arm and the second arm in a desired orientation.
 17. The theft prevention device according to claim 16, wherein the means to control includes a spring clip secured to the first arm which engages grooves on the second arm.
 18. The theft prevention device according to claim 16, wherein the means to control includes a detent secured to the first arm which engages detent holes formed in the second arm. 